A NEW report from Palliative Care Australia is “a wake-up call for funders and policymakers”, said CEO Camilla Rowland.

According to the 2024 National Palliative Care Workforce Survey, 90% of respondents in specialist palliative care settings reported increased demand for specialist palliative care in the previous year, but only 28% said funding met that demand.

Difficulties with recruiting and retaining staff were also raised.

Meanwhile in aged care settings, where palliative care is considered ‘core business’, half of those surveyed reported no improvements to the quality of care provided.

“The survey revealed a clear workforce perception that the need for palliative care is increasing, but the additional investment needed to meet that demand has not,” Rowland said.

“The underlying theme in the survey report is that increasing demand for care, funding constraints and workforce shortages has placed strain on services, professionals and volunteers,” she continued.

“That means increasing limitations on access to palliative and end-of-life care, and increasing stress on the palliative care workforce.”

Read the full report HERE.

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